If you're a sporty parent, then school sports days naturally present the perfect opportunity to show off your speed, agility, and hand-eye coordination.
However, for those of us who once dreaded Monday morning PE lessons, it's really more about just taking part for the kids and trying not to end up with too many bruises.
Despite not being particularly sporty herself, mum Katie Hannaford - who describes herself as "so clumsy" - was determined to take part in her daughter's school sports day parents' race last year.
Unfortunately, the parent, then 36, finished up with a red face rather than a medal, having tripped over her own feet and flashing her knickers for all the world to see.
Katie, who lives in Basildon, Essex, says her eight-year-old daughter had "kept begging" her to get involved in the race, and eventually she agreed.
The homeware company owner, who didn't hold out high hopes of coming in first place, recalled: "I'm not sporty at all, but [my daughter] kept begging me. In the end, I agreed to the race - I knew I'd come last.
"I just tripped over my own feet - I think my body was just moving too fast for my legs! I'm so clumsy, I'm always falling over."
Footage shows Katie, clad in a blue dress gamely lining up in the third lane from the left, waiting for the race to begin.
As the race begins, Katie drops to the back of the competing parents, before ultimately tripping over her own feet and tumbling to the floor.
Unfortunately, the mum and businesswoman didn't exactly land as gracefully as she probably would have liked.
Her dress could be seen riding up right over her head, exposing her knickers to onlookers.
Although she was pretty embarrassed at the time, Katie luckily now sees the funny side and views her disastrous race attempt as "hilarious".
She added: "I was humiliated at the time, but it is what it is! I flashed my underwear which is obviously embarrassing but you just have to own it.
"Looking back, it's hilarious - definitely the funniest thing I've ever done in my life!"
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